Deepawali – one of India’s biggest festivals is not just 1 day. It is in-fact a week-long festival:

Day 1 – Vasu Baras / Govatsa Dwadashi – Worshipping the cow & the calf and the sacred bond of motherhood.

Day 2 – Dhantrayodashi / Dhanteras / Dhanvantari Trayodashi / Yama Deepam – Worshipping wealth symbolised by Lakshmi, Kuber, Dhanvantari & Yamraj. This is also the day to buy new jewellery & utensils.

Day 3 – Narakchaturdashi / Kalichaudas – Worshipping Goddess Kali, celebrating her defeat of Narakasur.

Day 4 – Lakshmi Puja – Worshipping goddess Lakshmi for bringing wealth into the house. It also heralds the bringing in of the new financial year (Samvat) as per the Hindu calendar.

Day 5 – Padva / Balipratipada / Govardhan Puja – It is the first day of the Hindu Samvat’s financial year. It is also about worshipping the earth for protecting the people who live on it and also celebrating Lord Krishna’s act of denting the pride of Lord Indra.

Day 6 – Bhaubeej / Bhaidooj – Acknowledging the sacred bond between a brother & sister.

Since the above ‘days’ are based on tithis of the Hindu calendar Vikram Samvat & the Panchang (Hindu calendar and almanac, which follows traditional units of Hindu timekeeping), they don’t always align with the Gregorian calendar, with one tithi starting on one day & ending on the next.

Hence, in 2021, the days are as follows:
Day 1 – Nov 1st
Day 2 – Nov 2nd
Day 3 & Day 4 – Nov 4th
Day 5 – Nov 5th
Day 6 – Nov 6th

Have a Shubh Deepawali everyone!!! 🪔🎇🪔